Tens of thousands gathered in central Madrid on Sunday in a mass protest organised by Spain’s conservative Popular Party (PP), calling for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to resign and accusing his Socialist government of widespread corruption.
Waving Spanish flags and chanting slogans like “Pedro Sanchez, resign!”, demonstrators packed the capital’s Plaza de España in what PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo described as a public outcry against “mafia practices” in government.
The rally follows leaked audio recordings allegedly implicating Leire Díez, a former member of the ruling Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), in efforts to discredit a police unit investigating corruption allegations involving Sanchez’s wife, brother, and close allies, including former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos.
Díez has denied the claims, saying the recordings were related to research for a book and not party-related. She has since resigned from PSOE.
Among the most significant scandals is the so-called “Koldo Case,” named after Koldo García Izaguirre, a former adviser to Ábalos. García is accused of securing lucrative COVID-19 medical supply contracts, particularly for face masks, in exchange for hefty commissions.
The controversy has engulfed key figures in Sanchez’s administration and intensified scrutiny over public procurement during the pandemic.
The situation worsened in April 2024 when a Madrid court launched an investigation into Sanchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, over alleged influence peddling and business corruption. The right-wing activist group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) filed the complaint, claiming Gómez improperly influenced the awarding of government contracts and engaged in questionable professional conduct.
Although Sanchez briefly considered stepping down, he has since denounced the allegations as part of a broader “smear campaign” by right-wing forces to destabilize his leadership.The PP estimated the rally turnout exceeded 100,000 people, while Madrid’s government delegation reported a crowd of 45,000 to 50,000. Protesters carried banners and wore Spanish flags, expressing growing frustration with the administration.
“The expiry date on this government passed a long time ago. It’s getting tiring,” said Blanca Requejo, a 46-year-old shop manager speaking to AFP.
Sanchez rose to power in 2018 after ousting then-Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in a no-confidence vote triggered by a corruption scandal involving the PP. While recent polls suggest the PP holds a slight lead over the Socialists, Spain’s next general election isn’t scheduled until 2027.
With pressure mounting, the opposition hopes the wave of public anger will force Sanchez to call early elections.
With input from Al Jazeera
